made to draw her
out; but as neither Bradly nor his wife nor children ever gave the
smallest encouragement to questioners, and as Jane herself quietly
declined every invitation to take a meal or spend an hour away from
home, curiosity was obliged to seek gratification elsewhere, and baffled
inquirers to talk about her amongst themselves with ominous whispers and
shrugging shoulders.

Clearly, Jane's complaint was one which medicine could not reach, for no
medical man ever called on her at her brother's house; though well-
meaning persons used at first to urge on Thomas the advisability of
consulting the parish doctor for her. And when others recommended their
own favourite patent remedies which had never been known to fail--at
least, so said the printed wrapper--he would thank them, and say that
"it wasn't physic as she wanted." "Ah! Then she must have met with a
disappointment where she had placed her affections; was it not so?" To
which Thomas dryly replied that "he was not aware that it was so; but if
it had been, he should have kept it to himself." This and similar broad
hints at length closed the gossiping mouths of Crossbourne--at any rate,
in the presence of any members of the Bradly family--and Jane and her
troubles ceased to occupy much attention out of her own home.

Still, the deep shadow lay across the hearth and heart of her brother.
Very touching it was to see the considerate tenderness with which he
always dealt with her. Never a loud or hasty word did she hear from
him, nor indeed from any member of the family. When he came in from his
work his first words were for her: some cheery little speech, yet
uttered in rather an undertone, lest his natural abruptness unchecked
should startle her. The best massive arm-chair, and the snuggest nook
by the kitchen fire, were hers; and by the Bible, which was her constant
companion, and lay on a little table which stood beside her, a few
bright flowers, as their season came round, were placed as tokens of a
thoughtful and abiding love.

Yet she pined, and grew gradually weaker; but no murmur was heard to
escape her lips. The sorrow which lay on her heart like a mountain of
snow could not deprive her of God's peace, while it was chilling and
crushing out her life. As far as they would allow her, and her strength
would permit, she took her part in the household work; but she was
principally occupied with her needle, and as she was an excellent
workwoman,